In the time of India-China border standoff, Congress flip-flop over its vice-president Rahul Gandhi meeting Chinese envoy recently has come as a surprise.

At a time when Indian and Chinese forces are engaged in one of the longest standoffs at Dokalam in Bhutan, Congress flip-flop over its vice-president Rahul Gandhi meeting Chinese envoy recently has come as a surprise. As the news of the meeting broke early today on news channels, the Congress spokespersons Randeep Singh Surjewala termed it “fake news”. In a series of tweets, Surjewala said some news channels were running “fake news” of Rahul’s meeting with Chinese ambassador Luo Zhaouni.

The news channels “will not question three Union Ministers visiting China or PM’s (Narendra Modi) bonhomie and praise at G20. Yet run fake news”, Surjewala tweeted. The Congress spokesperson even alleged the report was planted by Union Ministry of External Affairs and Intelligence Bureau. “They should reverify that we still have diplomatic relations with all our neighbours,” he tweeted.

However, when some news channels telecast the photo of the purported meeting, Congress did a u-turn. Surjewala told ANI, “Envoys met Rahul Gandhi ji, not only Chinese envoy but also Bhutanese envoy and ex-NSA Shiv Shankar Menon.”

“Various ambassadors and envoys keep meeting Congress president and vice-president time to time on courtesy basis. Nobody should attempt to sensationalise this,” he added.

Surjewala’s double-speak is surprising. What adds more to the suspense is the Congress’ u-turn coincided with a similar flip-flop by the Chinese embassy. A post informing about the purported meeting on July 8 on Chinese embassy website was removed after the news was telecast on all major Indian news channels earlier in the day.

PM Modi had met Chinese President Xi Jinpin during an informal BRICS meet on the sidelines of the G20 Summit 2017 last week at Hamburg, Germany. Though several reports claimed both leaders talked about the Dokalam standoff, no official statements were issued by any of them.

A screenshot of the now deleted post on Chinese embassy website about Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Beijing’s envoy on July 8.

Chinese official media has launched an unprecedented verbal offensive against India over the border standoff, in which India’s strategic interests are at stake. It has even urged China to go to war to teach India a “bitter lesson.” Such verbal offensive could be met only if entire India, including all political parties, remain united for saving Indian interests. Border standoff shouldn’t be used for scoring narrow political goals. The Congress, hence, needs to answer a lot of question.

And for the record I am not the guy sitting on the swing while a thousand Chinese troops had physically entered India pic.twitter.com/THG4sULJJC

It is also surprising as to why Rahul didn’t make the news of the meeting with Chinese envoy public himself first if that was a routine matter as Surjewala claimed after denying initially. On July 7, however, Rahul had questioned PM Modi’s silence on China. “Why is our Prime Minister silent on China?” he had tweeted.

Later in the evening, Rahul took to the Twitter to confess he had met the Chinese ambassador as it is his job, he said, to be “informed on critical issues.” He also attacked Modi with a September 2014 picture showing the India PM sitting on a swing with Chinese President Xi.

Pappu is a gadddddar. He wants to know the sikkim standoff from Chinese ambassador!! What a sorry state of affairs for Congress

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Sukesh

Jul 10, 2017 at 5:20 pm

shame Rahul. when will you grow up .? when will congress legacy think for india's benefit ? On one side indian army and leadership is taking stand for india's pride and you China's envoy. on what position you met.
It would be better for india if your entire family goes back to Italy from where you belong. we don't want you. when will you leave us?

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ravi

Jul 10, 2017 at 5:08 pm

Sleeping with the enemy, what little respect remained has vanished. While as leader of a major political party he has every right to meet with officials.
Courtesy and Norm dictate that the govt of the day is kept in the loop.
Given the current situation meeting with the Chinese is just short of collaborating with the enemy.